Stefan Pinto, is achieving success as an actor and model, but he also continues to pursue his hobby as a photographer with a jaunt to Mexico with National Geographic.

Some of his recent modeling assignments include his appearance in Playgirl as the August 2008 Centerfold and at the Fashion Fights Poverty - ChaCha Boy Swimwear (runway model) show.

He has also had assignments with Sears Eyewear, MasterCard Corporate Payment Solutions and Florida Tourism (Key West)

Stefan took time for a chat about his life and career.

Michael: Tell us about your background.

Stefan:   I was born in Trinidad and moved to New York when I was 15.\

Michael:  How did you become involved in the entertainment industry.

Stefan:  Quite by accident, really. I was out, buying lunch when a model agent approached me.

Michael:  Share some of the highlights of your career.

Stefan:  Winning that performance award for my role as the pirate Red Dog in the play, “Treasure Island.”

That meant a lot as the play was performed in the summer in a theatre filled with kids and counselors.

I really did forget how much children enjoy the art of fantasy and adventure and how believable seeing a man dressed as a pirate can be to them.

Seeing their delightful expressions was quite rewarding.

Michael:  What are your personal and professional goals for 2008

Stefan:  I continue to actively pursue my acting career and hope to find a project that I will be truly symbiotic.

I also enjoy my photography hobby and am looking forward to my adventures in Mexico shooting with National Geographic.

Michael:  What really inspires you to achieve your best

Stefan:  A choice. Everything I do or pursue is a choice.  If you’re going to do something, you may as well do it really, really well.

Michael:  How would you describe yourself?

Stefan: Creative mostly. I am always thinking about something to do or how to make something better.

It can be a bit overwhelming at times. But, in the end, it is mostly rewarding.

Michael:  Tell us some of your interests  (sports, hobbies etc)

Stefan:  I enjoy photography, Scuba diving, football (it’s soccer here in the U.S.) reading, especially biographies. I also breed birds, mostly finches. They’re quite tiny.

Michael:  Final thoughts for 2008

Stefan:  Ten years from now, you will probably forget why you said “no” and regret not saying “yes.”

Learn more about Stefan at http://pintofactory.com